Content Overview 
- Overview
- The Catholic Church's Position On Advance Health Care Directives
- Where Can I Find Free Advance Directive Forms?
- Why Do I Need A Living Will and/or A Health Care Proxy?
- Why Do I Need A Healthcare Power of Attorney If I Have A Living Will?
- Why Do I Need A Do Not Resuscitate Directive (DNR) If I Have A Living Will And/Or A Health Care Power Of Attorney?
- What If I Move Or Receive Treatment In Another State?
- How To Choose A Doctor Who Will Comply With Your Wishes
- What If My Healthcare Proxy's Decision Conflicts With The Instructions In My Living Will?
- How Long Do Advance Directives Stay In Effect?
- How To Choose A Hospital Or Other Health Care FacilityThat Respects Your Wishes
- How To Talk With Family About Your Wishes About What To Do If You Become Incapacitated And Can't Speak For Yourself
- Who Should I Give Copies Of My Healthcare Power Of Attorney, Living Will and Do Not Resuscitate Order?
- How Often Should I Revisit My Advance Directives?
- How To Revoke Or Amend A Living Will, Healthcare Power Of Attorney Or DNR (Advance Directives)
- How Is Incapacity Determined?
Advance Health Care Directives 101
How To Revoke Or Amend A Living Will, Healthcare Power Of Attorney Or DNR (Advance Directives)
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This discussion is divided into amendment (changing what is in a document), revocation (terminating it) and who to inform about an amendment or revocation.
Amendment
If you want to amend an Advance Directive, do it with the same formality as required in the state to execute the document. For instance, if two witnesses are required, write your amendment on the document in ink, sign next to the change and have the witnesses sign their names as well.
Make sure you amend each copy - not just one. Because of this, it may be easier just to go ahead and execute new Directives.
NOTE: It is advisable to execute your documents in front of a notary public even if not required by the laws of the state in which you reside. While most states do not require notarization of Living Wills, there are some states which require notarization to make them effective. If you execute your document in front of a notary, you are covered in case you are traveling and something happens in another state
Revocation
You can revoke an Advance Directive just by ripping-up each copy. Alternatively, you can cross out the substance in each copy, add the date, and sign it.
Inform The People Who Have A Copy Of Each Document. Send an email.
Let each person who has a copy of the directive know you have changed or revoked it. If you have amended a document, give them a copy of the amended document. Preferably also e-mail each person so there is a paper trail if it is ever needed.
It will also be helpful to let people who know about your wishes, but don't have a copy of the documents.